Bronze/Brass material help

I'm using 954 Aluminum Bronze for an item I make. Works great! It's hard and will crack rather than bend, the reason I selected it. Buffs to a gold like color but after time it will get to be an ugly yellow. Is there another alloy in Bronze or Brass that is strong but will not change color over time. I see the brass door knobs stay a shiny Gold color even on those outside. My item is not for outdoor use though it is used out doors. (gun part) I have made a few from Titanium (AL6-4V) works but is expensive. I will not use Aluminum.

Maybe 360? Free cutting and as far as I know will stay yellow unless something like an acid gets to it.

Only problem is 360 is a bit soft. (954 is 29,000 psi and 360 is 15,000 psi Yield

IIRC gold is the only yellow metal that doesn't tarnish / oxidise / change colour.

Just a thought, What about using Monel?

clear lacquer

The bright doorknobs are an army of cleaners with polishing rags ,and weak ammonia soap solution.

john.k said:

The bright doorknobs are an army of cleaners with polishing rags ,and weak ammonia soap solution.

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Door knob on my shop door is bright and shiny on both sides, also have one on the office door the same, one side of both is outside in the weather, I'm too lazy to do anything to clean it unless I put my greasy hands on it and clean it only to prevent my hands from getting dirty, can't remember the last time I cleaned the Knobs but I'll bet it was at least 2 years. Brasso does a nice job on the Al. Bronze. I was just wondering if another alloy would not tarnish as quickly. I use buffed bronze so it's slippery, lacquer will add drag.

Richard Winn said:

clear lacquer

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This is what I was going to suggest. Some type of clear coat.

Froneck said:

I'm using 954 Aluminum Bronze for an item I make. Works great! It's hard and will crack rather than bend, the reason I selected it. Buffs to a gold like color but after time it will get to be an ugly yellow. Is there another alloy in Bronze or Brass that is strong but will not change color over time. I see the brass door knobs stay a shiny Gold color even on those outside. My item is not for outdoor use though it is used out doors. (gun part) I have made a few from Titanium (AL6-4V) works but is expensive. I will not use Aluminum.

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Nickel-Aluminium-Bronze can be heat-treated. Whether you NEED that or not, a side effect is that is resists tarnish longer.

It is "close enough" in appearance to Gold that salesman's samples in the jewelry trade have used it for scores of years to reduce weight slightly and reduce insurance coverage costs greatly, the Diamonds and coloured stones in the samples also being artificial .

Not a new need. Look it up. See if that could help.

Perhaps you could also plate it? Effectiveness depends on wear and other exposure factors, of course.

The OTHER option is controlled, but stabilized "tarnish". A "browned" Bronze often called "antique" or "Oiled" bronze. It can be carried all the way to black?

Might not have a golden "bling", but for a firearm? Could be a subdued dark colur of lesser glare might actually be a most-welcome option?

I'm not "into" camo, nor sneaking about nor strutting around PRETENDING I was back in a Southeast Asian jungle. But neither do I want "Sundance kid" hoorhouse-gaudy shiny or sparkly bits around any of my "hardware".

What kind of loads ?
A simple thread protector doesn't see any loads, a trigger extension,
scope mounts, etc. would see bending.

digger doug said:

What kind of loads ?
A simple thread protector doesn't see any loads, a trigger extension,
scope mounts, etc. would see bending.

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Scope mounts in Aluminium bronze?

If that was a good idea, my Kuharsky Brothers (Erie, PA, & our Balvar 8 specialists) or Maynard P. Buehler mounts, mid last century - might have used it? Those folks DID "know their s**t".

Gun Crank Inventor Maynard Buehler Tests His Scope Mounts On Huge Rifles That Make Ordinary Magnums Look Like Pipsqueaks - Guns 01 1959